Category Archives: Recent News

Sharon Rook-Wisse celebrated 30 years at COC with a July reception

Christian Opportunity Center payroll administrator Sharon Rook-Wisse reflected on her 30 years with the organization…in her own words.

When I was hired at COC, the Executive Director did the job interviews. I was working in the nursing home wing of the Pella Community Hospital and told a co-worker that I wanted to do something different. She suggested I apply at COC. I went to COC after one of my shifts (still in my nursing uniform) and spoke to Office Coordinator Doris Nibbelink and asked if I could fill out an application. After I filled it out, I gave it back to Doris and she asked if I had a minute; she wanted to show someone my application. A couple of minutes later, I was greeted by Executive Director Art Ruiter and he interviewed me on the spot (the hiring process has changed a lot since then). My starting wage in 1985 was $4.00 an hour. In the 80’s, we called the homes “cottages” and people supported were called “clients.” To this day, there are still people in Pella that refer to the people supported as clients.

I started at COC on July 30th, 1985, in what was called the RCF/MR (Residential Care Facility for people with Mentally Retardation) as a med-aide supervisor. It is now the North Broadway ICF/ID houses and administrative offices.

During the spring of 1986, I started working in what is now Department 1 (back then it was called Work Activity Center-1) as an instructional assistant. Staff members in that department are now called work skills supervisors. One of my duties was taking care of two guinea pigs named George and Sidney in the Green Room. We also had two outdoor cats named CoCo and Patches. One of my favorite memories was watching a pretend game show on film from Heartland AEA with the people supported called “The Good Life” and another film series called “Circles” (to this day, if someone is standing too close to me, I tell them: “You are in my purple private circle.”).  I worked in Department 1 until August of 1999, most of that time I worked in a room called the “Blue Room,” which is now Executive Director Rod Braun and Associate Director John Eilers’ offices. My happiest memories are of the people supported that I worked with in the Blue Room.

During that time, I also worked early morning shifts at the Broadway ICF. I also subbed in what was called the B-CSLA Apartments (15 people living in one- and two-bedroom apartments with shared kitchens), which is now East and West Broadway HCBS. I also worked one summer in a two-bed HCBS apartment that COC had on Main St.

In August of 1999, I transferred to the front office as an office assistant and later as an office coordinator. My duties consisted of setting up job interviews, updating the vehicle schedule, processing people supported payrolls, setting up/taking down items for “Rustic Amenities” with people supported, providing tours with potential applicants for services, admission coordinator duties, and many other duties as assigned tasks.

In August of 2006, I transferred to the finance department which is where I have been for almost nine years. I process staff and people supported payrolls. 

One of the main reasons that I have enjoyed being at COC for 30 years is working in a Christ-centered environment and being able to share my faith with others.

When I transferred to the finance department, a dear friend and former co-worker gave me a plaque which still hangs on the wall in my office today…

She believed
she could
so she did.

That has been my motto over the years, believing in myself and not being afraid to try something new. I have worn many “hats” at COC and have enjoyed serving others. I can’t imagine working anywhere else.

Paige Davidson (far right) with her brother Wade (far left), mother Trudy (middle left) and father Marty (middle right)

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) speech aide and work skills supervisor Paige Davidson and her brother Wade hosted the 3rd Annual Marty Davidson Bike Show in Oskaloosa in May, donating the profits from the event to COC in honor of their late father.

Marty Davidson passed away on May 15, 2012 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

“It’s really hard,” said Paige. “[Marty] was our best friend. He never wanted from anybody; he never asked anything of anyone. He was a great guy and a great person.”

The following weekend, Wade honored his father by hosting a Marty Davidson Memorial Ride. More than 500 people turned out to pay their respects, resulting in the yearly celebration of Marty’s “love for two wheels.”

“My dad was very passionate about bikes,” Wade said. “We enjoyed going to bike events and bike shows together. The first year, we had more than 300 bikes and 400 people and it’s still growing. It’s been really good.”

Bikers may enter their bikes into one of five categories based on its style. Sponsors provide giveaways, while category trophies are handmade by Wade and his friends. Winners are selected by a committee.

Several businesses support the show financially, making it possible for the family to donate profits from the event to a cause of their choice.

In 2013, the event supported an Oskaloosa teenager who suffered a broken neck in an ATV accident. In 2014, a donation was made to a small veterinary clinic because of Marty’s love for animals (especially dogs).

This year, the family donated the event’s profits to COC, where Paige has worked for the past 14 years.

“I love working at COC,” said Paige. “The people supported are like my family. I love helping people; it’s something I’ve always done and it’s something I’m very passionate about.”

And while Wade owns three motorcycles, Paige is working towards the purchase of her first bike for next year’s event.

“That would blow my dad away,” Paige said. “I feel the most free when I’m riding, remembering all of the times we rode together.”

For more information and updates about the Annual Marty Davidson Bike Show “Like” the event on Facebook.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential, vocational and spiritual supports and services to more than 250 people with disabilities in Dallas, Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook.

Rayla Wilson (right) and COC Executive Director Rod Braun (left) at Wednesday’s Pella Christian High School’s Awards Night

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) has selected Pella Christian High School’s Rayla Wilson as the 2015 Sarah M. Braun Memorial Scholarship recipient.

Named in honor of the late daughter of COC Executive Director Rod Braun and his wife Robin and made possible by the COC Foundation Fund, the $1,000 scholarship is presented to a high school senior pursuing an academic focus in human services.

Wilson plans to major in elementary education with a minor in special education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul beginning in the fall of 2015.

Criteria for the scholarship include academic performance, extracurricular activities, community involvement, and personal character and personality. Applications for the scholarship are accepted from all COC service areas.

Daughter of Neil and Angela, Wilson is a Presidential Scholar at Pella Christian, achieving honor roll recognition each semester during her high school career. She also received four superior ratings in flute ensembles.

A Pella native and member of Federated Fellowship Church, Wilson is employed at Jaarsma Bakery and volunteers at The Mango Tree, a ministry of Many Hands for Haiti.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to more than 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit www.christianopportunity.org.

Sharon Byers (pictured) was recognized for her 40 years of service during January’s COC Leadership Team meeting

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) living skills advisor Sharon Byers recently celebrated 40 years of service with the organization, the first employee to reach the milestone.

After volunteering at COC in just its fifth year as a school program, Byers was hired as the first workshop supervisor on Sept. 7, 1974. Byers served in that capacity for 37 years before transferring to her current position in Pella’s life skills program.

“I volunteered at COC because I wanted to be part of an organization that was known for helping people who needed support and encouragement,” Byers said. “I have stayed at COC because I have a Christian love for the people I serve. It is fulfilling to see them gain self-confidence and connect with others, all while finding and holding community jobs.”

Byers has many cherished memories in her 40 years with COC, but one is held in high regard.

In May of 1985, Gary and Matilda Vermeer financed a trip to Florida for 49 people served and 11 staff members. The trip was complete with visits to Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Center and Sea World.

Byers, who spent three months helping plan the vacation, was one of the staff members on the trip. Her treasured memory is not only the trip itself, but also hearing about the joy it brought one of the persons served.

“I visited a person I served in the nursing home before he passed away,” Byers said. “Before Florida, he had never been on a vacation, let alone outside the state of Iowa. He told me the Disney World trip was the best time of his life.”

COC Executive Director Rod Braun said Byers’ time has impacted many lives.

“Forty years of service is a significant milestone and we congratulate Sharon for her dedicated service to the mission of COC,” Braun said. “She has been a blessing to hundreds of people with disabilities and to her many co-workers.”

And if you are considering working at COC, Byers would encourage you to apply.

“If you are looking for a job that will make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and will also make a difference in your life, you will get that and more at COC,” said Byers.

Byers’ service accomplishment was recognized with a reception and time of fellowship at COC’s Leadership Team’s bi-monthly meeting in January.

Founded in 1969, COC continues to provide opportunities for more than 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook and IowaCOC on Twitter.

Ruth Ann Triplett with husband Ryan, son Easton (2), daughter Ellamae (6)

Christian Opportunity Center (COC) program coordinator Ruth Ann Triplett is giving life this holiday season through PROFNAIT, a collaborative project aiming to develop a safe, new treatment that prevents excessive bleeding in fetuses and newborns.

PROFNAIT is developing a prophylactic drug from human plasma, but the plasma needs to contain certain antibodies present in women who already have given birth to a child with Fetal and Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia (FNAIT/NAIT), a condition which may result in too few blood platelets to stop the bleeding.

As a mother who gave birth to two children (Ellamae and Easton) with the condition, Ruth Ann felt called to take action. Both children are leading happy and healthy lives, but as she learned in an online support group…not all babies are as fortunate.

“I heard about the PROFNAIT project through a Facebook support group for families affected by NAIT called ‘Naitbabies,’” Ruth Ann said. “Many babies die or are disabled due to this disease. I would do anything to help prevent this blood disorder, so I signed up.”

Plasma collection centers for this project are located in Norway, Sweden, Germany and the United States. Ruth Ann drives the three-hour round trip to Iowa’s lone donation center, Biotest in Iowa City, because she believes it may save a life.

“The blood product used to save my son’s life was made from antibodies extracted from the plasma of more than one thousand donors,” Ruth Ann said. “If you have had a baby with this condition…donate. Donate blood, donate platelets, donate plasma; all save lives.”

For more information and to find the nearest donation center visit http://www.profnait.eu/ or connect with PROFNAIT project on Facebook. To learn more about NAIT visit http://www.naitbabies.org/ or connect with Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia Support Group on Facebook.

Founded in 1969, COC provides residential and vocational support and services to 250 people with disabilities in Marion, Mahaska, Warren and Polk counties. For more information visit https://christianopportunity.org/ or connect with Christian Opportunity Center on Facebook and IowaCOC on Twitter.